Shunshui Bay

　　The lower reaches of the Maotiao River flow directly into Liuguang River. The 18-kilometer downstream section has Shunshui Bay at its mouth, while the upper section of the deep gorge is known as Xiangbi Gorge. Further down the Liuguang River lies Xiangbi Mountain, and on the western bank in the town of Subu, there are remnants of the Xiang Temple. The middle and lower sections of the river form Baima Gorge. This area features steep cliffs, rapid waters, and ancient towering trees lining both banks, combining depth, danger, seclusion, beauty, and wonder all in one gorge. Legend has it that this was the place where Yu Shun, one of the Five Emperors of ancient China, accompanied his younger brother Xiangbi Hou on an inspection tour to the frontier region. Not long after being exiled to Longchang Post, Master Yangming gazed toward the direction of the Xiang Temple on the western bank and, upon invitation from An Guoxiang, the Pacification Commissioner of Guizhou, explored the landscape here, leaving behind the verse: “My soul rejoices at Heaven’s gift, found only in Yexi’s Shunshui Bay.” Later, according to legend, Yangming wished to visit the Xiang Temple in the Shuixi region and came here again. However, due to the high mountains and rapid waters, he could not pass through either the upper or lower mountain paths or post roads. With regret, he still composed the widely acclaimed and classic essay “Record of the Xiang Temple,” another masterpiece included in “Guwen Guanzhi” (Models of Classical Prose), alongside other renowned works.